Folding animal-bench.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHA R1) CHARLES RATI'IBORNE, OI NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TOSPRATTS PATENT (AM ERICA) LIMITED, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATIONOF GREAT BRITAIN.

FOLDING ANIMAL-BENCH.

Specification of Lettem Patent.

Patented Oct. 27, 1908.

Application filed August 28, 1907. Serial No. 390,436.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD CHARLES RATHBORNE, a subject of GreatBritain, residing at 14 Congress street, in the city of Newark, in thecounty of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Folding Animal- Benches, of which the followingis a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanyingdrawing.

\ly invention relates to a folding'animal bench or lounge, for smallanimals, such as dogs, and cats, and is designed to provide a simple,strong and sanitary folding bench that may be easily transported fromplace to place: that occupies a small space when not in use, andsecurely provides against the filth from the animal reaching the floor.

My device is provided with a top composed of slats or rods, which areplaced so close together as to have all the advantages of an unbrokentop or floor, while at the same time the spaces formed between the slatsallow all dirt, water, etc. from the animal to freely pass between andinto a drawer or tray-which is slidably contained within the frame-workof said bench, directly under said slats, and which may be removed forthe purpose of cleaning. For the purpose of supporting said bench, Iprovide legs, hinged to the underside of braces forming part of theframe-work of said bench: said legs being adapted to be folded when notin use, within said frame. I also provide. folding sides and back hingedto the upper side of the bench top, which proyide a shield for theanimal and when not in use may be folded down upon the bench-top, thusmak ing a very compact device.

\Vhile I have illustrated my device with back and sides of solidmaterial, I do not confine myself to this construction, as they may bemade of grille-work.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 shows the bench set up. Fig. 2 is a plan viewof the bench folded. Fig. 3 shows the bottom with the legs folded. Fig.4 is a sectional view on the line A-B of Fig. 1, showing the manner ofsecuring the legs when folded.

1, indicates a rectangular top integral with perforation therein, thusforming a grille or screen, and to thebottom of which is attached thesupporting frame 3, which is strengthened by the braces 4, and To thebraces 4, are hinged the legs 6, by the hinges sides 14.

7, in such a manner that when the legs 6, are extended they are held ina rigid manner by the hooked stay-rods 8, which are secured to the legbraces 9, by a ring 26, formed in one end of said stay-rod 8, linked toan eye 10, secured to the leg brace 9; while the other end of thestay-rod 8, is formed with a hoo k 27, which is engaged by the eye 11,which 15 secured to the brace When the legs 6, are closed or folded, thestay-rods 8, may be secured in the manner shown in Fig. 8, by the hook12, and the eye 13, both of which are secured to the brace 5, as shown,and which are adapted to hook over the stay-rods 8, thus retaining thembetween said hook 12, and the under side of the brace o the top of thebench and near its ends or shorter sides are secured the folding sides14, by the hinges 15, while at its back 0r longer side is secured thestrip 16, to which is hinged the folding back 17, by the hinges 18, insuch a manner that after the sides 14, are folded down upon the benchtop, the back 17, may be folded down upon them; the strip 16,compensating for the thickness of the The sides 14, and the back 17, areheld when open in a rigid manner by the hooks 19, which are placed onthe outside and near the rear end of the sides 14, (or the corner formedby the side 14, and back 17,) said hook 19, engaging a pin or eye 20,which is secured to the ends of the back 17. Sliding upon the braces 4-,and 5, and guided by a rectangular opening in the front of the frame 3,is placed the tray or drawer 21, which is formed with a metallic orother waterproof bottom 22, adapted to catch and retain the droppingswhich pass between the slats 2: said drawer being readily removed by theknobs 23, for the'purpose of cleaning. In the folding back 17, .near itscenter and top, I provide the hole 24, to which may be secured the tieof the animal: while inthe sides 14, near their top, I provide thehandholes 2-5, by which the bench may be lifted.

The device is so simple and its mode of use so obvious that furtherdetails as to its operation are not needed.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, a bench formed with a perforatedtop; folding sides and back, hinged to said top;- a

frame supporting said top; atray slidably I hooks secured to the outersides of said foldmounted within said frame; braces forming part of saidframe; legs hinged to said frame-braces; leg braces secured to saidlegs; and hooked staywods secured to the leg-braces.

2. A bench of the class described, having an integral, rectangularperforated top, upright sides and back hinged to the upper surface ofsaid bench top, a rectangular frame secured to the under surface of andsupporting said bench-top; transverse end braces secured to said frame,a tray slidably mounted within said frame and resting upon said braces,legs hinged to said braces, a center brace secured to said frame, acenter brace connecting each pair of legs and hooked stay-rods securedthereto. i

3. A bench of the class described, having a rectangular top, integralwith perforation therein: sides hinged at their lower edges to the uppersurface of said bench-top, at rightangles to said surface when open, andadapted to fold inwardly upon said top when closed.

4. A bench of the class described having a perforated top, foldingsides: a strip secured to the upper surface of said benchtop near itsrear edge: a baclrhinged at its lower edge to the upper surface of saidstrip: said back standing at right angles to said bench-top when open,and being adapted to fold inwardly upon the folded sides of said bench.

5. A bench of the class described, having a perforated top, foldingsides and back:

ing sides near their rear edges; eyes secured to the ends of the foldingback near its top, adapted to be engaged by said hooks.

6. A bench of the class described, having a perforated top, foldingsides and back, a rectangular frame supporting said top braces securedto said frame: legs hinged to the under surface of said braces neartheir ends, and adapted to fold within said frame: leg braces secured atright angles to said legs midway their ends, retaining said legs inpairs: stay-rods formed at one end with hooks and at the other end witheyes secured to said leg braces: a center brace secured to saidsupporting frame eyes secured tothe under surface of the center brace ofsaid frame, adapted to be engaged by said hooks.

7. A bench of the class described, having a perforated top, foldingsides and back secured to said top, a rectangular frame formed with anopening in its front and supporting said top, transverse braces securedto said frame, legs hinged to said braces, stay-rods hingeably securedat one end to said legs and at the other end detachably to one of saidframe braces, a -rectangnlar tray slidably mounted within said frame,supported by said braces.

In testimony whcreofI. have affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

RICHARD CHARLES RA'lllBORNl-l. Witnesses WM. L. MORGAN, End-m A. BRoss.

